Calgary mother arrested in death of young son

Calgary police have arrested a local woman in connection with the death of her son.

Emergency crews were called out to a basement suite in the 900 block of 17 Avenue S.W. on Saturday, March 2, 2013 for a report of a seven-year-old boy having a seizure.

The child was taken to hospital and pronounced dead on arrival.

The CPS Homicide Unit was called in to investigate because of the boy’s condition when he arrived at hospital.

It is alleged that the boy, who lived with his mother, was suffering from a treatable illness but was not taken for medical attention despite his deteriorating condition.

Police say an autopsy later showed the boy died as a result of a strep infection which is often treatable.

Police allege the victim was given holistic remedies and was bedridden for up to 10 days before his death.

The mother of the boy was arrested in connection with his death after consultation with medical experts and the Crown Prosecutor’s Office.

“We were waiting for a lot of reports from the medical professionals and once we received that the investigation moved forward,” said CPS A/S.Sgt. Michael Cavilla.

Police arrested a 44-year-old woman on Friday and say charges of criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessaries of life are pending.

Under the Criminal Code of Canada, a parent or guardian is required to provide the necessaries of life which is defined by the courts as food, shelter, care, and medical attention necessary to sustain life and protection from harm.

"What I can tell you is that the seven-year-old was in full cardiac arrest, transported to the Alberta Children's Hospital," said Cavilla. "We have no direct information that religious beliefs factored into this but there was a belief system in homeopathic medicine that did factor in."

Friends and neighbours say the woman is Tamara Lovett and that she lived in a small apartment in the area with her son Ryan.